Production Manager

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Execution

• Plan and manage production schedules across multiple footwear styles and quantities.
• Coordinate the complete production cycle from sampling and material sourcing to bulk production and final dispatch.
• Track production timelines and ensure orders are delivered as per committed deadlines.
• Identify potential delays early and proactively resolve them.

2. Vendor & Factory Management

• Manage day-to-day communication with footwear manufacturers, factories, and material suppliers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing vendors.
• Identify and evaluate new manufacturers and suppliers when required.
• Negotiate production timelines, MOQs, pricing, and other commercial terms.
• Ensure vendors follow agreed production and quality standards.

3. Sampling & Product Development

• Coordinate prototypes, samples, size sets, and pre-production samples.
• Work with the design team and manufacturers to translate designs into commercially viable footwear.
• Identify production challenges in the sampling stage and suggest practical solutions.
• Ensure approved samples are followed accurately during bulk production.

4. Quality Control

• Establish and maintain quality standards across all footwear production.
• Conduct or coordinate quality checks at different stages of production.
• Identify issues relating to fit, finishing, construction, materials, colour, sizing, and overall workmanship.
• Work with manufacturers to correct quality issues before dispatch.
• Ensure consistency across batches.

5. Cost & Material Management

• Track production costs and work towards maintaining target margins.
• Monitor material consumption, wastage, and production losses.
• Coordinate procurement and availability of footwear components and raw materials.
• Ensure materials are available in time to avoid production delays.

6. Inventory & Dispatch Coordination

• Coordinate finished-goods movement from factories to the warehouse.
• Maintain accurate production and dispatch records.
• Track quantities produced, rejected, pending, and dispatched.
• Coordinate with the operations/warehouse team to ensure timely inwarding.